Thousands of e-rickshaws — or Totos — that ply in and around Malda went off roads on Monday as drivers observed a one-day strike against alleged high-handedness by police and the motor vehicles department.

Police and authorities of the department, however, have denied the charges. Also, leaders of INTTUC, the workers’ front of Trinamul, accused Citu (the CPM’s labour arm) of instigating the e-rickshaw drivers to strike.

Sources said that in Malda, around 3,500 e-rickshaws have registration, but around 12,000 run in and around Malda town and another 5,000 in other parts of the district.

On Monday, not a single e-rickshaw hit the streets. Thousands of people, including students and office-goers, had to face huge inconveniences.

“In Malda, the e-rickshaws have become the principal mode of local transport in recent times. As the e-rickshaws remained off the roads today, many people like us had to scout for other mode of transport or even seek help from neighbours to reach their destination,” said Nimai Saha, a senior citizen of the town.

Later in the day, a delegation of the Citu-backed drivers’ association submitted a memorandum to the administration and spoke on a number of issues.

“We have to face the highhandedness of policemen and civic volunteers in different locations. Fines are being imposed and sometimes the vehicles are seized,” Mukul Karmakar, the president of the association, said.

In Malda, the administration planned to allow movement of e-rickshaws of two different colours in different shifts to reduce traffic congestion in the town. However, Karmakar said they were against this.

“We are against this bias. As most people board our vehicles during rush hours, such a decision will create a disparity in our earnings,” Karmakar explained why they were unhappy with the decision.

The association has also demanded that the administration clarify how many such three-wheelers run in and around the town.

“The administration should also stop issuing registration for new e-rickshaws. There should be clarity on the number of such vehicles. We are against the movement of unregistered e-rickshaws in the town,” said a protester.

Officials of the district administration said they would soon hold talks on the issue.

“A meeting will be held on transport-related issues of the district. The points flagged by the e-rickshaw drivers will be discussed. But let us be clear that they will have to adhere to traffic rules,” said Vaibhav Chaudhury, the additional district magistrate (general) of Malda.

Subhadip Sanyal, the district INTTUC president, alleged that some Citu leaders instigated the drivers.

“These people are doing it for their own interest and want to create a problem in the town. The e-rickshaw drivers should bear in mind that strikes won’t do them any good. They should instead talk things out with the administration and other authorities concerned,” said Sanyal.